Mark Selby, Masters champion two years ago and runner-up last year, secured his sixth 6-5 victory in the 10 matches he has played here by eliminating Mark Allen after the feisty Northern Ireland left-hander had recovered from 3-0 down to lead 5-4.

Selby's opponent tonight will be Stephen Maguire, who reached his third semi-final in four years here by disposing of Ryan Day 6-1, three substantial clearances from well behind of 55, 62 and 61 accounting for the wide margin.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, described in jest as "a miserable bastard" by the sport's new chairman, Barry Hearn, in reference to the excessive self-criticism of his performance level, meets a resurgent Mark Williams in the afternoon's semi-final.

Hearn is keen to improve and promote the image of snooker, and singled out O'Sullivan as its outstanding individual – but he also said he wants his players to smile. "I have told all the players they are to look happy when they win a match. I said I want to have some fun. Ronnie O'Sullivan is one of the worst. He is a miserable bastard.

"I told him I want him to be the flag-bearer for snooker and he asked me: 'What's a flag-bearer?' When I told him and used the Army as an example, with the soldiers following behind the flag-bearer, he looked interested. I had a chat with the young man and outlined what I want and he seems to have disregarded it, so I shall have another chat with the young man.

"I've known him since he was 12. I'm sure we will educate him. I'd like to have 12 flag-bearers for snooker but, at the moment, there is really only one – him. I want the players to interact more with the fans. They all look so miserable. But they're not boring, they have stories to tell."

Apart from musical walk-ons and obtaining an 11th-hour sponsor it is too soon for Hearn's influence as the new head of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association to be widely felt but much has been happening backstage, notably a meeting with independent promoters. This has produced a new avowal of common cause and a shortly to be announced calendar that will include a ranking event in ­Germany, one of the game's greatest growth areas, which has been nurtured for several years by Shaun ­Murphy's manager, Brandon Parker. "Independent promoters on their own don't have the money to do it," said Hearn, promising financial support. "Television ratings on Eurosport are spectacular. Other European broadcasters are interested. We're ready to play a part.

"I don't mind spending money and ­perhaps taking a loss to start with if I can see a profit at the end of it. By the same token we won't be supporting a ranking event in Malta anymore because there's no potential for growth there."

Even the Welsh Open will have to do ­better: "We lose £200,000 a year on it." It has not had a sponsor since tobacco sponsorship was banned seven years ago although, even a mere 10 days before the event, Hearn hopes to find one. World Series, founded by John ­Higgins, the world champion, and his manager, Pat Mooney, will be supported by WPBSA.

"I see it as our battering ram into new ­territories that aren't ready for a full ranking event," said Hearn. Small field tournaments have been staged in Berlin, Warsaw, Moscow, Prague and the Algarve,